Bit construction for smoking pipes

ABSTRACT

A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combination with a smoking pipe including a bowl, a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to the bit and a receptacle-like retroverted-flow filter associated with the bit and disposed within the stem. The bit member comprises a generally tubular first portion adapted to fit telescopically within the stem, a generally tubular second portion adapted to fit telescopically within the filter, the second portion being coaxial with said first portion and extending forwardly from the first portion, the outer surface of the second portion being provided with a series of substantially uniform projections circumferentially disposed thereon, the outer surface of the second portion being further provided with a series of substantially uniform second projections circumferentially disposed thereon intermediate the first projections and the first portion, the outer surface of the second portion being provided with stop members for limiting the axial movement of the filter on the second portion, and a mouthpiece-like third portion extending rearwardly from the first portion. The bit member first portion is also provided with a transverse O-ring retaining recess and a plurality of protuberances on each side of the recess.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith et al.

[451 Dec. 25, 1973 [52] U.S. Cl 131/212 A, 131/218, 131/225,

131/227, 285/133 R [51] Int. Cl. A24f 01/16 [58] Field of Search 131/212A, 213, 218,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,915,414 6/1933 Foley131/213 2,354,712 8/1944 Steiger 131/212 A X 927,353 7/1909 Jackson285/22 3,100,493 8/1963 Rundle 131/195 X 2,753,873 7/1956 Kirsten....131/225 X 3,170,468 2/1965 Smith 131/213 3,297,100 1/1967 Crews 285/135R X Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney-B. Edward Shlesinger, Jr.et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use incombination with a smoking pipe including a bowl, a tubular stem forconnecting the bowl to the bit and a receptacle-like retroverted-flowfilter associated with the bit and disposed within the stem. The bitmember comprises a generally tubular first portion adapted to fittelescopically within the stem, a generally tubular second portionadapted to fit telescopically within the filter, the second portionbeing coaxial with said first portion and extending forwardly from thefirst portion, the outer surface of the second portion being providedwith a series of substantially uniform projections circumferentiallydisposed thereon, the outer surface of the second portion being furtherprovided with a series of substantially uniform second projectionscircumferentially disposed thereon intermediate the first projectionsand the first portion, the outer surface of the second portion beingprovided with stop members for limiting the axial movement of the filteron the second portion, and a mouthpiece-like third portion extendingrearwardly from the first portion.

The bit member first portion is also provided with a transverse O-ringretaining recess and a plurality of protuberances on each side of therecess.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures BIT CONSTRUCTION FOR SMOKING PIPES SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a bit member for usegenerally with a retroverted-flow filter and pipe similar to thatdisclosed in U. S. Pat. 3,170,468. In particular, the invention relatesto the construction of that portion of the bit member which serves toretain the aforementioned retroverted-flow filter about the bit memberand also to means on the bit member for assuring a tight fit within thepipe stem.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS The prior art dealing withretroverted-flow pipe bits and stems has proven unsatisfactory withregard to ease in attaching the filter to either the bit member or thepipe stern. In the case of a bit supported retrovertedflow filter, it isnecessary that the filter cap be supported about the bit member andspaced therefrom both at the ends and around the periphery to allowproper circulation of smoke. The prior art devices have sought toachieve this proper spacing by means of multi-element assembliesassociated with either the stem or the bit member. This creates thenecessity that the individual components of the assembly by properlyaligned before the filtering system will function efficiently. Such adesign is unsatisfactory.

Furthermore, in the case of a paper or cellulose filter, it isespecially important that the filter be attached without its tearing orotherwise being deformed.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a bit member ofunitary construction thereby eliminating the necessity for assemblingand disassembling individual filter support components.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bit of unitaryconstruction which facilitates cleaning.

A further object of this invention is toprovide a bit member adapted foreasy insertion into a throw away filter.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a bit memberwhich will securely retain a throw away filter.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a bit memberwhich permits maximum circulation of smoke by providing means to spacethe filter from the bit member utilizing a minimum of support points.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a bit member whichwill not rock within the pipe stem.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate this invention:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away side elevational view showing the bitmember, filter and pipe in assembled form;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bit member and filter;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken about line 33 and viewed inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken about line 4-4 and viewed inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bit member;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bit member shown in FIG. 5 takenalong line 6-6 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a left end view of the bit member shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a right end view of the bit member shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 shows a partially cut away view of a smoking pipe incorporatingthe bit member which is the subject of this invention. Pipe bowl 2 issecured to stem 4 by means of a ducted fitting 6. Stem 4 is closed atone end by cap member 8 which comprises a plug portion 10 having atransverse O-ringretaining recess 12 therein and an end portion 14.Disposed .within recess 12 is an O-ring 16 made of rubber, resilientplastic or the like. When plug portion 10 is disposed within stem 4,O-ring l6 bears outwardly against the inner surface 17 of stem 4 therebyproviding a seal. Protuberances 18 serve to prevent cap member 8 fromrocking in stem 4 about 0- ring 16.

Bit member B is disposed within stem 4 and a retroverted-flow filter Fis secured over forward portion 20. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bitmember B may be of unitary construction and includes a smoke duct 22therethrough. It includes a mouthpiece 24, a central portion 26 and aforward portion 20.

Forward portion 20 is generally tubular and has a series of taperedprojections 28 circumferentially disposed on its outer surface 30.Projections 28 may be ridges which run longitudinally and tapergradually toward the forward end of portion 20. The purpose of thegradual slope of ridges 28 is to guide and flare the filter F as theforward portion 20 of bit member B is being inserted therein. Ridges 28may also be constructed so as to taper sharply at rear surfaces 34 so asto frictionally retain filter F about forward portion 20.

Forward portion 30 is further provided with a series of projections 36circumferentially disposed thereon rearward of projections 28.Projections 36 may also be in the form of longitudinal ridges and arepreferably aligned with projections 28 as shown in FIG. 2. In apreferred form of the invention, the height of ridges 36 above surface30 is less than the height of ridges 28. When the bit member B isconstructed in this fashion, filter F will be flared as it passes overridges 28 and will seat on ridges 36 without catching. A furtheradvantage to this construction lies in the fact that ridges 28, due totheir height and the sharp taper of rear surfaces 34, serve tofrictionally retain filter F about portion 20.

To prevent filter F from being slid over portion 20 to such an extentthat its inner surface 38 (See FIG. 1) abuts the forward end of portion20 and its rim 40 abuts shoulder 42 thereby preventing proper smokecirculation, ridges 36 have a step or stop 44 therein. As filter F isslid over portion 20, rim 40 will engage steps 44 and a gap will beformed between filter F and flange 42 to permit the smoke to curl aroundrim 40 and travel along surface 30 in a forward direction.

When portion 20 of bit member B is inserted in filter F, ridges 28 and36 serve to space filter F from the outer surface 30 of portion 20thereby permitting the smoke to follow the path shown by the arrows inFIG. 1. While projections 28 and 36 have been shown as longitudinalribs, it would be obvious to employ projections having various otherconfigurations.

Central portion 26 is also generally tubular and is integral with bothforward portion 20 and mouthpiece 24. Central portion 26 also has anouter diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the forwardportion 46 of mouthpiece 24 thereby providing a shoulder 48 which abutsthe rear rim 49 of stem 4.

Bit member B is provided with a transverse O-ring retaining recess 50which circumscribes central portion 26. An Oring 52 (See FIGS. 1 and 2)is retained therein for the purposes of sealing the interior of stem 4atthe juncture of stem 4 and bit member B. Protuberances 54 on centralportion 26, which are disposed on each side of recess 50 serve toprevent bit B from rocking within stem 4 about O-ring 52 which projectsbeyond recess 50. Each series of protuberances 54, which arecircumferentially disposed on central portion 26, is preferrably alignedwith the other.

While any number of projections 28, 36 and 54 may be included, at leastthree projections in each circumferential series is desirable.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, itwill be understood that it is capable of further modification. Thisapplication is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses oradaptations of the invention following the general principles of thisinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential featureshereinbefore set forth and fall within the scope of this invention orthe limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim is:

l. A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combinationwith a smoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forward end thereof,a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and a removablereceptacie-like retroverted-flow filter adapted to be positioned oversaid bit and disposed within the stem, said bit member comprising:

a. a generally tubular first portion fitting telescopically within thestem,

b. a generally tubular second portion fitting telescopically andremovably within the filter,

c. said second portion being coaxial with said first portion andextending forwardly from said first portion,

d. said first portion cooperating with said second portion to form anannular shoulder,

e. means on said shoulder for spacing the filter forwardly from saidshoulder,

f. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform first projections circumferentially disposedthereon,

g. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform second projections circumferentially disposedthereon intermediate said first projections and said first portion, and

h. a mouthpiece-like third portion extending rearwardly from said firstportion.

2. The bit member of claim 1 and wherein said means for spacing thefilter from said shoulder includes at least one projection on saidshoulder.

3. The bit member of claim 1 and wherein said means for spacing thefilter from said shoulder includes a step on at least one of said secondprojections.

4. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein the height of said firstuniform projections taper in a forward direction so as to guide andflare the filter during insertion.

5. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein said projections arelongitudinal ridges.

6. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein said series of firstprojections are spaced from said series of second projections andaligned with said series of second projections.

7. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein the outer diameter of saidsecond portion is smaller than the outer diameter of said firstportion'so as to form said shoulder. I Y

8. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein each of said series ofprojections includes at least three projections spaced equidistantlyfrom each other.

9. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein said bit member is unitary.

10. A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combinationwith a smoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forward end thereof,a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and a receptacle-likeretroverted-flow filter associated with said bit and disposed within thestem, said bit member comprismg:

a. a generally tubular first portion fitting telescopically within thestem,

b. a generally tubular second portion fitting telescopically within thefilter,

c. said second portion being coaxial with said first portion andextending forwardly from said first portion,

d. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform first projections circumferentially disposedthereon,

e. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform second projections circumferentially disposedthereon intermediate between said first projections and said firstportion,

f. the height of said first projections being greater than the height ofsaid second projections.

g. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with stopmeans for limiting the axial movement of the filter on said secondportion, and

h. a mouthpiece-like third portion extending rearwardly from said firstportion.

11. A bit member as in claim 11 and wherein said first projections taperalso in a forward and a rearward direction so as to form a peak.

12. A bit member as in claim 11 and wherein said first projections tapergradually in said forward direction and sharply in said rearwarddirection.

13. A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combinationwith a smoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forward end thereof,a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and a receptacle-likeretroverted-flow filter associated with said bit and disposed within thestem, said bit member comprismg:

a. a generally tubular first portion fitting telescopically within thestem,

b. a generally tubular second portion fitting telescopically within thefilter,

c. said second portion being coaxial with said first portion andextending forwardly from said first portion,

d. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform first projections circumferentially disposedthereon,

e. the outer surface of said second portion being provided with a seriesof substantially uniform second cess circumscribing said first portion,and

i. a plurality of substantially uniform protuberances positioned on eachside of said recess means.

14. A bit member as in claim 13 and wherein said firstportion isprovided with at least three equidistantly spaced protuberances on eachside of said recess means.

1. A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combinationwith a smoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forward end thereof,a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and a removablereceptacle-like retroverted-flow filter adapted to be positioned oversaid bit and disposed within the stem, said bit member comprising: a. agenerally tubular first portion fitting telescopically within the stem,b. a generally tubular second portion fitting telescopically andremovably within the filter, c. said second portion being coaxial withsaid first portion and extending forwardly from said first portion, d.said first portion cooperating with said second portion to form anannular shoulder, e. means on said shoulder for spacing the filterforwardly from said shoulder, f. the outer surface of said secondportion being provided with a series of substantially uniform firstprojections circumferentially disposed thereon, g. the outer surface ofsaid second portion being provided with a series of substantiallyuniform second projections circumferentially disposed thereonintermediate said first projections and said first portion, and h. amouthpiece-like third portion extending rearwardly from said firstportion.
 2. The bit member of claim 1 and wherein said means for spacingthe filter from said shoulder includes at least one projection on saidshoulder.
 3. The bit member of claim 1 and wherein said means forspacing the filter from said shoulder includes a step on at least one ofsaid second projections.
 4. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein theheight of said first uniform projections taper in a forward direction soas to guide and flare the filter during insertion.
 5. A bit member as inclaim 1 and wherein said projections are longitudinal ridges.
 6. A bitmember as in claim 1 and wherein said series of first projections arespaced from said series of second projections and aligned with saidseries of second projections.
 7. A bit member as in claim 1 and whereinthe outer diameter of said second portion is smaller than the outerdiameter of said first portion so as to form said shoulder.
 8. A bitmember as in claim 1 and wherein each of said series of projectionsincludes at least three projections spaced equidistantly from eachother.
 9. A bit member as in claim 1 and wherein said bit member isunitary.
 10. A bit member having a smoke duct therethrough for use incombination with a smoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forwardend thereof, a tubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and areceptacle-like retroverted-flow filter associated with said bit anddisposed within the stem, said bit member comprising: a. a generallytubular first portion fitting telescopically within the stem, b. agenerally tubular second portion fitting telescopically within thefilter, c. said second portion being coaxial with said first portion andextending forwardly from said first portion, d. the outer surface ofsaid second portion being provided with a series of substantiallyuniform first projections circumferentially disposed thereon, e. theouter surface of said second portion being provided with a series ofsubstantially uniform second projections circumferentially disposedthereon intermediate between said first projections and said firstportion, f. the height of said first projections being greater than theheight of said second projections, g. the outer surface of said secondportion being provided with stop means for limiting the axial movementof the filter on said second portion, and h. a mouthpiece-like thirdportion extending rearwardly from said first portion.
 11. A bit memberas in claim 11 and wherein said first projections taper also in aforward and a rearward direction so as to form a peak.
 12. A bit memberas in claim 11 and wherein said first projections taper gradually insaid forward direction and sharply in said rearward direction.
 13. A bitmember having a smoke duct therethrough for use in combination with asmoking pipe including a bowl mounted on the forward end thereof, atubular stem for connecting the bowl to said bit and a receptacle-likeretroverted-flow filter associated with said bit and disposed within thestem, said bit member comprising: a. a generally tubular first portionfitting telescopically within the stem, b. a generally tubular secondportion fitting telescopically within the filter, c. said second portionbeing coaxial with said first portion and extending forwardly from saidfirst portion, d. the outer surface of said second portion beingprovided with a series of substantially uniform first projectionscircumferentially disposed thereon, e. the outer surface of said secondportion being provided with a series of substantially uniform secondprojections circumferentially disposed thereon intermediate said firstprojections and said first portion, f. the outer surface of said secondportion being provided with stop means for limiting the axial movementof the filter on said second portion, g. a mouthpiece-like third portionextending rearwardly from said first portion, h. means providing atransverse O-ring retaining recess circumscribing said first portion,and i. a plurality of substantially uniform protuberances positioned oneach side of said recess means.
 14. A bit member as in claim 13 andwherein said first portion is provided with at least three equidistantlyspaced protuberances on each side of said recess means.